Kathrine Frich
As November begins, the night sky offers a calm but beautiful spectacle shared across much of the world.
Over the first weekend of the month, the Moon and Saturn will appear close together, a rare and easily visible celestial pairing that can be seen from North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe without any special equipment.
What makes it special
In astronomy, such alignments are known as conjunctions, when two celestial bodies appear close together from Earth’s perspective.
The Moon’s monthly orbit causes it to pass near many bright stars and planets, but each meeting has its own character.
This one, set against the crisp autumn sky, gives even casual observers a sense of the Moon’s steady movement night by night.
Apps, star charts or rotating sky maps can help locate Saturn, though it will be visible to the naked eye beside the Moon’s bright crescent.
Binoculars or small telescopes will reveal Saturn’s distinctive golden hue and, in steady conditions, its ring system.
When and where to look
The conjunction between the Moon and Saturn will unfold across November 1 and 2, with both objects visible shortly after sunset. Because of Earth’s rotation, the timing and position will differ slightly depending on location.
- United States:
- Look toward the southern sky between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time on Friday and Saturday. Saturn will glow as a soft golden point near the half-illuminated Moon.
- Canada:
- The event is visible around the same hours, roughly 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. local time, depending on latitude. In southern Canada, the view will be clearer and higher above the horizon.
- United Kingdom:
- Observers should look south-east around 5 to 6 p.m. GMT, just after nightfall. On November 1, Saturn will appear to the left of the Moon, and by November 2 it will shift to the right.
The view after
Wherever you are, a clear view of the horizon away from city lights will make the pair easy to spot.
Saturn will shine with a brightness similar to that of the brighter stars, making it visible even in mild light pollution.
After the weekend, the Moon will drift eastward, moving away from Saturn and continuing its path toward Jupiter later in the month.
Sources: Polish Press Agency (PAP), NASA, Royal Astronomical Society, Wirtualna Polska.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
